The Other Crucial Civil Rights Case the Supreme Court Will Be Ruling On

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would hear two cases challenging state and federal laws which prevent the legal union between same-sex couples.

But it's not the only significant civil rights case the Court has decided to take up this term.

Last month, the Supreme Court said it will consider the constitutionality of a key part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the hallmark legislation from the Civil Rights era that has come under increased challenge.

The cornerstone provision is known as Section 5, which holds some states accountable to get federal clearance before making any changes to their voting laws.

Many think the Court's decision to hear the case, announced just three days after the election, spells doom for the cornerstone provision. But whatever the justices' decision, the case may end up, as the influential SCOTUSBlog put it, "as one of the most significant rulings of the current Term."
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